Business counseling key to one grad’s success

From staff reports

Counseling from the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) could be the key ingredient for early business success.

The Washington SBDC offers free and confidential counseling to anyone about small business startup and growth from 29 different advisors across the state. Washington State University has hosted the Washington SBDC for the past 35 years.

Myles Kirchmeier is one man who took action with business ambitions while in his final year of schooling at Central Washington University.

Like many students, Kirchmeier ate many meals at the local Pita Pit. Out of curiosity, Kirchmeier contacted Pita Pit with interest in what he could do with them five or six years down the road.

Kirchmeier wanted to eventually start his own business. However, Kirchmeier‘s father encouraged him to start before he had a family.

“My dad was right because not having those types of commitments quite yet, I am able to really focus in on my business and its success,” said Kirchmeier.

Kirchmeier was told by his father’s banker to talk to the Washington SBDC, and he drove to the Olympia location that day.

About a year and a half after contacting Pita Pit, Kirchmeier opened his Pita Pit franchise in Capital Mall in Olympia. He plans to continue to grow and diversify.

Kirchmeier balanced classes, worked night shifts at McDonalds and drove from Ellensburg to Olympia two times a week to meet business advisors Ron Nielson and Natalia Putt at the Washington SBDC.

“I had a lot of fun doing it, so researching and contacting other franchises didn’t really seem like a whole lot of work at the time,” said Kirchmeier. 

The Washington SBDC has accessible offices in Pullman. Business Advisor Aziz Makhani regularly meets with bankers, lawyers and other professional services. Makhani then counsels interested entrepreneurs and refers them to the appropriate services.

Counseling services provided by the Washington SBDC office in Pullman include financial and cost analysis; business valuation; buying or selling a business; loan packages; marketing, personnel and management issues; business plan review; strategic planning; government contracting; leasing; e-commerce; and exporting. 

Not everyone should start a business while in school; it really depends on the person and the type of business, said Kirchmeier. With a franchise they helped you out quite a bit and give you all the information needed.

“If the students are ready to launch a business and have a clear idea of funding, I can help them. In my job, I want to let students know what SBDC does so when they get out to start their own endeavors, they can better utilize our resources,” said SBDC Pullman Business Advisor Aziz Makhani.

“I don’t know if could have gotten as far as I am without the SBDC’s help. Everything they explained to me and all the information they provided really helped me understand what banks were looking for, because at 24 years old it is hard to get a bank to finance you,” said Kirchmeier.